(244) An Israeli Soldier's Moral Case for Israel

Combat veteran Meir Wolicki offers a firsthand look at how the IDF approaches the ethics of modern warfare, why protecting civilians comes at enormous tactical cost, and how those experiences have strengthened rather than weakened his faith. He also reflects on serving alongside Christians who share a commitment to the God of Israel and to Israel's future.

Rabbi Daniel Schonbuch joins Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki to examine what Zohran Mamdani's rise to the New York mayor's office reveals about the changing political and cultural landscape in America. They discuss the growth of the Democratic Socialists of America, the alliance between the far left and political Islam, rising antisemitism in New York City, and why these developments should concern both Christians and Jews. The conversation also explores coalition-building across faith communities and why defending biblical values and democratic ideals has become an increasingly urgent challenge.

Why have decades of negotiations, sanctions, and military pressure failed to change Iran's behavior? According to Dr. Harold Rhode, the answer lies in something far deeper than politics. It lies in culture. Having lived in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and later served for twenty-eight years as the Pentagon's leading adviser on the Islamic world, Dr. Rhode argues that American policymakers repeatedly misunderstand how Iranian leaders think because they assume that other cultures share Western assumptions about compromise, diplomacy, and power. Drawing on his remarkable firsthand experiences, he explains why cultural misunderstandings have shaped U.S. policy toward Iran for decades, how the regime maintains its grip on power, and what Israel and the United States should learn if they hope to confront the Islamic Republic successfully. This conversation offers a fascinating look at the intersection of culture, history, and geopolitics, and demonstrates why understanding an adversary's worldview may be the most important step toward defeating it.

Is the region drifting toward another major war, or are all sides carefully managing the conflict? Elliott Chodoff returns to Shoulder to Shoulder to explain the strategic calculations behind the latest confrontation with Iran. He discusses why Western diplomacy often misunderstands Middle Eastern political culture, why Iran continues to test American resolve, how Israel might respond if attacked, and why Lebanon remains one of the region's biggest wild cards. Rather than focusing on the daily headlines, this conversation examines the deeper strategic forces shaping events and what they could mean for the months ahead. Join an all-star panel of Middle East experts for a special Israel365 webinar on Iran, regional security, and what comes next. Register at israel365.com/regime.

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki look beyond fireworks and patriotism to the ideas that made the American experiment unique. They explore how the Bible shaped the Founders' understanding of liberty, why freedom and personal responsibility are inseparable, and what passages from Deuteronomy, the Ten Commandments, and even Little House on the Prairie reveal about the moral foundations of a free society. Along the way, they discuss the Ark Encounter, biblical literalism, and why Israel's appreciation for America reflects more than politics. It's a thoughtful conversation about faith, freedom, and the enduring power of America's Judeo-Christian heritage.

Is support for Israel weakening among younger Christians and conservatives? Has the U.S.-Israel relationship reached a turning point? Pesach speaks with Heather Johnston, founder of the U.S. Israel Education Association, about educating Congress, strengthening Christian support for Israel, and why she believes today's challenges are serious but far from hopeless. Along the way, Heather shares the remarkable personal journey that led her from replacement theology to a lifetime of service to Israel.

In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki unpack the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, and ask what it really means for Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the future of the Middle East. Is this MOU a dangerous betrayal, a temporary pause, or a diplomatic framework that was never meant to survive? Pesach argues that while the agreement contains deeply troubling concessions, much of the panic surrounding it misses the larger picture. Together, Doug and Pesach examine the fine print, the political calculations behind it, the role of Iran's proxies, and why Israel must retain the freedom to defend itself. They also move beyond geopolitics to a deeper question of faith: when evil is real and peace feels impossible, do people of faith wait for God to fix history, or do they step forward with courage and act?

Is Zionism embedded in the Quran itself? According to Muslim activist and interfaith leader Anila Ali, the answer is yes. In this fascinating conversation, Anila joins Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed to explain why she believes that the Quran affirms the Jewish people's connection to the Land of Israel, why she proudly calls herself a Muslim Zionist, and why much of the Muslim world's hostility toward Israel stems not from Islamic theology but from modern political movements. Drawing on her own upbringing, her study of Islamic texts, and her work building Muslim-Jewish partnerships, Anila offers a strikingly different vision of Islam than the one most people encounter in the headlines. The discussion explores her efforts to bring Muslim delegations to Israel, the reactions of those who discover a reality very different from what they expected, and the personal cost she has paid for speaking publicly in support of Israel and the Abraham Accords. Whether you agree with her or not, Anila presents a perspective that challenges assumptions and invites a deeper conversation about faith, history, and the possibility of peace.

Why does Lebanon seem trapped in a cycle of political paralysis, foreign interference, and violence? In this episode, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Pastor Doug Reed step back from the headlines to explore the deeper story behind Lebanon's ongoing crisis. From the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the creation of Lebanon's unique political system to the rise of Hezbollah and Iran's growing influence, they explain how a century of decisions has produced one of the Middle East's most dysfunctional states. Along the way, Doug shares stories from his travels across America, including an unexpected conversation about Israel with a former Major League Baseball All-Star. The result is a wide-ranging discussion about history, geopolitics, faith, and why understanding Lebanon is essential to understanding the modern Middle East.

Why have some of the most influential voices on the populist right become increasingly hostile to Israel, skeptical of America, and sympathetic to Russia? In this fascinating solo interview, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki sits down with cultural critic and author Dr. James Lindsay to explore the ideas of Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin and the growing influence of his worldview on parts of the American right. Together they examine the roots of anti-globalism, the appeal of traditionalism, the rise of what some call the "woke right," and the intellectual currents connecting Russia, Iran, nationalism, and anti-Israel sentiment. They discuss why so many young people are searching for identity and rootedness, how legitimate frustrations with modern culture can be manipulated into destructive ideologies, and why the Judeo-Christian foundations of America remain essential to understanding both freedom and human dignity. This is a wide-ranging conversation about ideas, propaganda, faith, nationalism, and the battle for the future of Western civilization.